As I Lay Dying Character Analysis

As I Lay Dying is unique in the sense that it has multiple characters telling the same story; however, telling a story and playing the role of narrator are two different parts that a character can play. All characters tell a story, but only character can narrate the tale. In William Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying, Darl plays the role of the unofficial narrator which impacts the reader's understanding of the novel. Darl is Addie’s second child and narrates nineteen sections of the novel. Because Darl narrates so many sections, his interpretations of the novel’s events very rapidly become the reader’s interpretation of events as well. The novel begins with Darl and Jewel walking back from the field (Faulkner 669). This first section of the novel is from Darl’s perspective and gives readers their first impression of not only Darl, but Jewel as well. Darl makes it a point to mention the fifteen feet between them, the difference in the way they walk, as well as the disparity in height (Faulkner 669-670). Readers then are made aware of the physical differences and disparities between the two brothers. However, these physical differences

Darl’s ability to see the unseen is what separates him from his family. The barn burning is not the only instance of this. Darl is somehow able to know that Dewey Dell is pregnant without her saying anything. Although Darl never outright says that he knows, Dewey Dell is able to tell that he knows. This is why she lashes out at him at the very end of the novel (Faulkner 755). He is also aware that Jewel is not Anse’s son (Faulker 745). More than one character remarks that Darl’s eye stare right into their soul. All of these reasons cause the other characters to push Darl away. The more Darl knows, the more dangerous he becomes. Darl’s scary talent helps to explain the unconventional narration found in As I Lay Dying and the unique role that Darl